News
‘Over 100 Companies Support Rivers Zero Crime Initiative’
Over 100 companies and individuals have thrown their support for the new security scheme initiated by the state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi.
The figures were made public on Wednesday by Chairperson of a joint stakeholders committee to drive the schedule, Kate Ezeigbo, during a public launch and press conference in Port Harcourt.
Ezeigbo said already the initiative has commenced with visits, sensitisation of all sectors and stakeholders, especially the business community.
She commended all who have shown support, while reminding them that security is the responsibility of all members of the society.
Meanwhile, the police have said that in the last two months, over 66 suspects and over 20 kidnapped victims have been freed.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi made the disclosure in an interactive chat with media and other stakeholders during the official unveiling of the “Rivers Crime Free” Initiative.
He said barely three months after he assumed office crime has been tackled to the barest minimum.
“In the second week as I resumed as commissioner of police, we tracked a notorious kidnapper, Wodi Amadi from Egbeda to Ogoloma. His gang opened fire on the police but was overpowered together with his three-man gang of accomplices”.
Nwonyi stated that on weekly basis, the police make huge in-roads and this scheme is people driven.
The state Commissioner of Police stressed the need for partnership among all stakeholders to make the initiative work, saying “there is an urgent need to make the state not to deteriorate than this .”
He commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for giving his support, and providing the enabling environment, especially the transport palliatives for the citizenry.
Nwonyi expressed appreciation to former Governor Nyesom Wike, who he said laid the foundation for the strong security architecture in the state.
Reacting to questions while condemning activities of corrupt police officers, Nwonyi, assured the public that the scheme would be run through a two-way communication feedback as the public can report errant officers.
The pubilc suggestion and information box, in the view of Nwonyi, is to reduce friction between the public and police, so as to create fluid operations and public relations.
So far, some flash points have been identified, especially the Diobu axis, as he urged traders, residents and citizens of the area to provide information to the police.
Youths and young secondary school students are also built into the initiative, the police commissioner further stated.
The aim of establishing the School Security Clubs, according to him, is to enlighten and educate students on the need to eschew crime.
In addition to that, young students would be given security and safety training, while as an essay competition would be organised to test their knowledge.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, pledged support of government to the initiative.
He said, “all of us must join to make the initiative efficient, such that other states would copy from here.”
Fubara reiterated that security was key in state building and development, as according to him, “all of us must play a role, to have a state where we can sleep with our two eyes closed.”
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.